9. “Arab Spring” focused questions:
A. Immediate precipitating causes of the “Arab Spring”
– when, how and why?
B. Long-term causes of the “Arab Spring” – why did it
happen in your country, based on deeper historical and cultural issues?
C. Key players – who are THREE individuals and
organizations that have served as key players in the “Arab Spring”?
D.Possible futures for your “Arab Spring” country – play out
at least THREE different future scenarios – what might happen?
A. – Immediate
Causes of the Arab Spring
a. When – Early 2011
b. How – Protesters,
inspired by the recent Arab uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt rallied against
President Saleh, who had served for 33 years. He stepped down as part of a deal
brokered by neighboring countries at the end of the year.
c.
Why –
Corruption was a huge piece of why an uprising occurred. Another, being
widespread unemployment and persistent inflation. 40% of Yemen’s population
live on less than $2 per day, and those who suffered watched the political
figures rake in the money. Billions of dollars in oil revenue had been
embezzled or wasted.
i. “Saleh's
failures as president fuelled months of popular protests which began in
January, shortly after the ouster of Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben
Ali. “
ii.
President Saleh tried to negotiate his way out of protests,
offering to form a “unity government” and proposing a committee to overhaul the
constitution
